California figwort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids California figwort |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Scrophularia
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| Species: |
californica
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The Scrophularia californica is a special flowering plant. People often call it the California figwort or the California bee plant. It belongs to the figwort family. This plant grows naturally in the western United States. You can find it in many places in California and also in British Columbia, Canada.
What Does It Look Like?
The California figwort might seem simple at first glance. It has cool blue-green leaves that are shaped like triangles. These leaves have small "teeth" along their edges. They grow in pairs, directly across from each other, on a thin, square-shaped stem.
Its Unique Flowers
The flowers of this plant are quite interesting! They are a mix of brownish and magenta colors. Each flower is round and hollow, about one centimeter long. They have two long parts at the top, almost like little lips.
A Friend to Insects
This plant is super important for insects! It's a big favorite of bees, which are drawn to its flowers. It also acts as a special home, called a host plant, for the young variable checkerspot larvae. These larvae are like baby butterflies!
Where Does It Grow?
The California figwort is native to the western United States. This means it grows there naturally. You can find it in many different areas, especially in California. It also grows in British Columbia, which is a province in Canada. It likes many kinds of natural places, from coastal areas to mountains.
